This past year has been eventful in New York City retail, from market newcomers to high-tech stores to welcome announcements of what's to come. And of course, my last column of 2014 is the perfect time to discuss my favorite new stores of the year. Let me know what you think!

Many decorators have a list of dream clients. Some are lucky enough to work with those people, while some ... just keep dreaming. Painter, Designer, Curator and Bon Vivant Deborah Buck didn't sit around and wait for her dream clients. Instead she invented them, decorated for them and sold all of their home furnishings at a profit.

Most of us pay no heed to our mythology. It's the water we swim in, and we take it completely for granted. Or worse, we discount whatever smells of mythology. "That's just a myth," the saying goes, meaning an untruth, something believed without a shred of evidence.

Why do the entertainment and advertising industries need us to look like hasids or caricatures of Jewishness? Why is the image of a female rabbi, or a clean-shaven, young, attractive male rabbi with all his hair so rare? Why do they insist on "other-ing" us?

This may not be the prevailing view in the Black community, but I don't think Jay Z should drop out of his upcoming holiday collaboration with Barney's. Now before you unleash a barrage of nasty criticism in the comment box, just hear me out.

With Mother's Day around the corner, it also seemed like a good time to discuss some of the great florists in our city. Whether your needs are for a simple bouquet or outfitting a full event, take a look.

Mad Men is finally back on the air, and we at the library couldn't be happier. But, if you need something to tide you over between episodes, these books will sweep you up in the world of 1960s New York.